About

LWI Region 4

Background

As a result of the extensive flooding of 2016, the State of Louisiana worked with local governments to develop a new approach to managing our floodplains. The Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI) was established to manage this program. In 2019, the State was divided into eight watershed regions. Region 4 is made up of the western part of the state and encompasses nine parishes: DeSoto, Sabine, Vernon, Rapides, Beauregard, Allen, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, and Cameron.

We formed a Regional Steering Committee (RSC) composed of a representative from each of the 9 parishes to help guide our watershed-based solutions within Region 4.  The RSC will establish a permanent coalition for Region 4 where future hazard mitigation funding will flow through.

The Louisiana Office of Community Development provided funding to each region to build the capacity to manage the program. Each region designated a fiscal agent to manage the funding and capacity-building process.  

The Region 4 Parishes designated the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury (CPPJ) to serve as the fiscal agent and organizing body. As a fiscal agent, the CPPJ will facilitate the establishment of the Region 4 watershed coalition.